The early life cycle of a CAM practice is usually dedicated to generating a client base, and figuring out how to manage the process of getting them to your office, helping them, and accepting their money. Not a bad model, and one that’s been in use almost as long as commerce has.

After a few years, though, the busy acupuncturist realizes that they’re…well, busy. They see patients all day, sometimes on weekends. The chiropractor stays late to do the bookkeeping, pay the bills. The naturopath gets emergency calls at home.

They’d all like to take more time off, but it costs thousands of dollars in lost patient revenue to do it. And although they’re billing a decent amount, a realization slowly seeps into their conscious mind: they don’t own a business, they own a job.

Owning a true business is a real solution to this, and it’s not just about generating more and more money. It’s also about lifestyle, and about helping your patients. CAM practitioners who work too hard, don’t take vacations, and struggle financially, can grow to resent doing the very thing that got them into their profession: helping people get better. And although running a true business has it’s own challenges, the personal and financial rewards can be more than worth the effort.

Next: transforming your practice into a business